One of the interesting things about the x-35, is that even though the Carrier versions don't have the STOVL Fans, their air-frame still has the 'overhead' weight capacity for the lift fan and variable thrust Nozzle, as well as telephone booth sized compartment that would hold hat lift fan and transmission. I read somewhere that the Air Force was looking at filling that space (in some configs) with either an anti-missile laser or a ground attack laser. Perhaps the navy should consider the same.
The logic would be: A couple of solid-state laser equiped X-35's a few thousand feet up networked with the Aegis and Area controll detection system could be a serious threat to incoming missiles. At just a few miles, I doubt that the lasers would need the adaptive optic systems that make the ABL a billion-dollar investment. And they would have a nice Line Of Sight to those tender 'boost phase' missiles.
Plus, wouldn't it be funny when those diesel subs from Iran or China (that would putatively be equped to launch such missiles) go to snorkel, finding thier air-hozes vaporized. I know militaries think its fun to see if they can shadow a carrier group undetected with a sub and get within effective range. God knows that was a game played with the russian navy during the cold war...
China to US: You wouldn't happen to know why all our sub Snorkels get ruined every time we snorkel within 50 miles of a CBG?
US to China: Why, good god no! Who would do such a wanton act of juvenile vandalism? BTW, what was one of your diesels doing just 50 miles from one of our battle groups in international waters?
Chine to US: Uhhh.... Nothing.... Just, um, fishing. Yeah. Fishing. Nevermind. We'll pin it on Japan.
Current Events » in reply to Boost phase
X-35
The whole thread (54 posts)
- Naval warfare bulletin
- There are at least two major weak spots in the missile design.
- 3rd weakness
- What about reactive armor?
- Maybe
- No...
- It all depends on how much momentum change is required to detonate the missile.
- You missed my point by a mile. (n/t)
- It all depends on how much momentum change is required to detonate the missile.
- Ultrasonic or microwave emitters might work.
- No...
- Maybe
- What about reactive armor?
- re: There are at least two major weak spots in the missile design.
- Kind of hard to get anything past a phalanx.
- 3rd weakness
- re: Naval warfare bulletin
- We need a World Peace Accord
- There are at least two major weak spots in the missile design.